U. Mount Bethel Told To Keep Donation

October 09, 1990|by MADELEINE MATHIAS, The Morning Call

Mount Bethel Volunteer Fire Company told Upper Mount Bethel Township supervisors last night that it does not want a $1,000 donation this year.

Fire company President John E. Balek, who read a statement to the board, said an issue had been made about the donation at the supervisors' Sept. 10 meeting, when a board majority voted not to include the company in sharing "this type of benevolence."

Balek said, "Several stories had been circulated around the township on why the Mount Bethel Volunteer Fire Company was not included. Perhaps if we had been asked if we wanted a donation, this issue could have been resolved some time ago."

Supervisor Ronald Angle said the board had inferred that the donation was coupled with the township being able to look at the fire company's books.

Supervisor Chairman Earl Ackerman said Angle was making "a mountain out of a molehill. You waste everyone's time with nonsense like this."

But Supervisor James DiPaolo said the issue could be resolved if the board listened to the tapes from last month's meeting to determine who said the township should look at the books.

Angle said he felt the township should give the company the money, just as it contributes to other groups.

The argument continued as Supervisor William Groeneveld said the statement made at the September meeting was that the fire company did not want the township "in their books."

Balek also noted that "our fire companies, rescue organizations and ambulance corps are not subsidized by the tax base, as many people think we are.

"I can tell you this, hard work, dedication and not being afraid of making improvements and being innovative" have brought the organization success, he said.

Balek said the company has two tanker pumpers, one mini-pumper, a brush truck and a rescue equipment truck and a modern fire station with a social hall that can accommodate 425 people.

Balek said the company's Relief Association voted to continue the distribution of the state Fireman's Relief Association money on a 50-50 basis. The North Bangor Fire Company will get the other half of the money the state returns to the township.

Although the Mount Bethel company responded to a majority of the fire and rescue calls, Balek said the company prefers to share the state funds equally "to keep peace with our fellow fire company."

"Both organizations have worked harmoniously in the past and we do not wish to build a wall between our friendship, for we share the same commitment ... to protect all residents of Upper Mount Bethel Township."

Angle asked to have the township secretary write to all those receiving contributions from the township for an audited financial statement of how the contribution is used.

But he could not get the majority of the board to support his request. Groeneveld told him he could write the letter himself and sign it in his name, not the township's.

Angle said the township should send $1,000 to Mount Bethel and say the township is not interested in seeing the fire company's books. But Balek said his company did not want the money. He said to let the issue die for harmony's sake.

In other matters, Angle questioned whether Police Chief Jack Nolf was at the Five Points intersection to direct traffic and get vehicles to slow down while school buses turn there to go to the Bangor area schools.

Groeneveld said Nolf was to be there unless he was answering another call.

Angle produced time schedules and asked Nolf how many times he had been at the intersection last month. He said Nolf had been there little or no time at all. Angle said Nolf had coffee seven times with the road crew, spent other times doing monthly paper work and chased several coyotes.

Angle said he could find not a single instance where Nolf was on an emergency when school bus traffic was at the intersection.

Groeneveld assured the board Nolf would be on duty this month during the necessary school hours.